Smallest American Post Office Weathers Hurricane Irma, Reopens For Business

MIAMI, FL — Sometimes small things deliver big packages. In Ochopee, Florida, the packages will keep coming, because the community's post office — the smallest in the nation — survived the onslaught of Hurricane Irma and has reopened for business.

The 61-square-foot office, located in rural Collier County, lost power temporarily but stood strong against Irma.

Meanwhile, the hurricane destroyed several buildings in the area, including the home of the postal clerk, as it tore across the state. Irma first made landfall at the nearby Marco Island. (For more information about the recovery from Hurricane Irma, subscribe for free to the Miami Patch and receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you're outside of Miami, find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The Naples Daily News reports that Postal Clerk Shannon Mitchell lost her home in the storm and so did several of her family members.

The littlest post office has one 131-mile mail route serving more than 900 residents, including delivery on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation.

Mitchell opened the office on Friday.

Rob O'Neal /The Key West Citizen via AP